Lunar New Year 2022 in the Portland Metro

Happy Year of the Tiger!

The Year of the Tiger is almost upon us. Lunar New Year lands on Tuesday, February 1 and ends January 21, 2023. This particular year of the Tiger is a Water Tiger year. I am no expert on the Chinese zodiac, so I can’t speak authoritatively about what “Year of the Tiger” means on a deeper level, so check out what the folks at The Woks of Life have to say. Here in the Portland area there are plenty of ways to celebrate with parades, crafts, dancing—and food.

Lan Su Chinese Garden
One of most popular events in town is the Chinese New Year lantern viewings at the Lan Su Chinese Garden in NW Portland:

“The biggest Chinese New Year celebration in the Pacific Northwest, this year the Garden welcomes the Year of the Tiger. Traditional hanging red lanterns, lights of dragon and phoenix lantern sculptures, 50-feet illuminated dragon procession throughout the garden. Teahouse service available.” The teahouse is a fun experience and I have enjoyed stopping in over the years to enjoy tea and snacks.

Friday to Sunday, February 4-6; Thursday to Sunday, February 10-13, 2022; 6-8pm
Member, $35; General, $45; Children (3-11), $15; Children (1-2), Free.

On Tuesday, February 15 from 10am to noon there will be a presentation on “Foods of the New Year: Tangyuan” at Lan Su. 239 Northwest Everett Street, Portland

A couple of large Asian supermarkets are offering celebratory specials this year.

99 Ranch Market
Two set meal options—only offered in Northern California and Oregon locations—are available for this year’s Lunar New Year Celebration.

Lunar New Year Basin Feast (Poon Choi). The basin feast comes with seafood like cuttlefish and shrimp; a pork roast; variety cuts like tongue, feet, and stomach; roast duck, duck feet and wings; mushroom and egg tofu! $130.88 feeds 4-6 people. $230.88 feeds 10-12 people.
With the Basin Feast, you’ll receive three of complementary dishes along with everything else: soy sauce chicken; a tray of assorted bean curds and vegetables; and a tray of rice noodles with egg and vegetables.
Lunar New Year Meal Combo. This set includes a tray of assorted BBQ and soy marinated items; steamed chicken with tender greens; soy sauce chow mein; three different braised proteins: pork hock, rock cod, and braised duck with vegetables. The Lunar New Year Meal Combo is $230.88 and feeds 10-12 people.
Lunar new year snacks: preserved plums, peanut flavored candies, and sweet ginger.

Note: You must place your orders for the Basin Feast and Meal Combo two days in advance. 8155 SW Hall Blvd. Beaverton

Uwajimaya
Head to this Asian supermarket in Beaverton for their Lunar New Year sale that is currently going from now to Tuesday, February 8, 2022:

“Presenting family and friends with red envelopes containing lucky money is a tradition of Lunar New Year. In honor of Lunar New Year, we will be handing out lucky red envelope cards to customers who spend $30 or more* during our Lunar New Year Sale. Peel to reveal your special prize!” 10500 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton

Other markets in Portland where you can find ingredients for your celebration at home include:

Hong Phat Market, 101 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland
Shun Fat Supermarket, 5253 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland
Fubonn, 2850 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland
H-Mart, 3301 SE Belmont Street, Portland
Lily Market, a beloved smaller grocery in East Portland, 11001 NE Halsey Street, Portland

At the Washington Square Mall in Tigard there will be a big Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, February 5 from 11am to 4pm at Summit Court. There will be various performances, storytelling, crafts-making, and even a badminton showcase! Washington Square Mall is also home to Oregon’s only Din Tai Fung location, so you can get your fill of dumplings, noodles, and sticky rice there. 9724 SW Washington Square Road, Tigard

Two enticing-sounding items are available in Portland in honor of Lunar New Year this year:

Humba at Baon Kainan
Via Instagram: “Humba is a dish that shows how China has influenced the most iconic dish of the Philippines. Keeping with the same foundations of adobo, fermented black beans and brown sugar are added to Humba to make it sweeter and add an extra layer of umami. We reduce the pork belly’s braising liquid into a sticky glaze.” It comes with jasmine rice, bok choy, and atchara. $14.

They will serve this until Lunar New Year (Tuesday, February 1). 4311 NE Prescott Street, Portland

Portland Ca Phe + Great Notion
Great Notion Brewing created a Year of the Tiger beer in collaboration with Portland Ca Phe. It is ”a tart ale with creamy coconut and w/our medium Đà Lạt roast. Inspired by our vegan Cà Phê Sữa.” It is available at Great Notion now (was released on 1/26). More details on how to access it, here.

And one place that has standout dumplings and noodles is Chin’s Kitchen. It’s one of my favorite places in Portland. Hand stretched noodles and a variety of dumplings are the norm there, but this coming week of Lunar New Year offers a twofer when it comes to Chin’s: they are also participating in Dumpling Week. I love the egg and leek dumplings for a vegetarian twist. 4126 NE Broadway, Portland

To better understand the Lunar New Year, why not attend “Culture on Zoom: The Chinese Zodiac and Lunar New Year Traditions” with Sarah Chung on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 2-3pm:

“In collaboration with the Lan Su Chinese Garden, and to welcome in the Year of the Tiger, join PCM [The Portland Chinatown Museum] board member Sarah Chung, will guide us through the Chinese Zodiac and the many wonderful traditions that help us celebrate the Lunar New Year.” Free registration required. More info.

A couple of other publications have put together articles on how to enjoy and recognize Lunar New Year. Here they are:

Where to Get Lunar New Year Dishes & Treats in Portland [Portland Monthly]
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Portland [Travel Portland]

Again, Happy Lunar New Year! Here’s hoping for good things during this coming Year of the Tiger.